George Takei to be honored by GLAAD for his efforts in promoting equality

George Takei will go where Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin and Rosie O’Donnell have gone before.

The Star Trek icon, LGBTI activist and social media powerhouse will be presented with GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award next month at the organization’s New York media awards gala.

‘Few voices have been as outspoken in support of equality as George Takei,’GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.

‘George has consistently used his platform to move the cultural needle on issues like marriage equality, LGBT employment protections, anti-LGBT bullying, and more,’ Ellis added.

Takei had already finished his long run as Star Trek’s Sulu in the original TV series and several feature films when he came out publicly in 2005. He married longtime partner Brad Altman three years later.

The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.